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Major Research Themes
Major Research Themes
Photoactive Molecules • Gasotransmitter Delivery • Chemical Sensing • AIE Materials • Bioimaging • Chemical Biology • Theranostics
Photoactive Molecules • Gasotransmitter Delivery • Chemical Sensing • AIE Materials • Bioimaging • Chemical Biology • Theranostics
Photoactivatable Gasotransmitter Release — NO, CO and H₂S
Our research focuses on the design of light-responsive molecular systems for the controlled release of biologically important gasotransmitters, including nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). A major emphasis is placed on achieving spatiotemporal control of gas release using visible, red, and near-infrared light. We also develop liposomes, nanoscale vesicles, micelles, and hydrogels as delivery platforms for potential applications in cancer therapy and chemical biology.
Selected publications:
ACS Applied Bio Materials, 8(11) (2025) 10078–10089.
Inorganic Chemistry, 64(15) (2025) 7364–7376.
Chemistry – A European Journal, 31(22) (2025) e202404062.
Dalton Transactions, 54 (2025) 14040–14051.
ChemPlusChem, 88(9) (2023) e202300243.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 425 (2022) 113703.
Methods, 168 (2019) 62–75.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 10(16) (2018) 14214–14220
Chemical Sensing and Detection
Our group develops colorimetric and fluorescent molecular sensors for the selective detection of environmental, biological, and chemically relevant analytes. Research targets include herbicides, metal ions, anions, moisture, phosgene, and biologically important molecules, with particular emphasis on portable, smartphone-integrated, and low-cost sensing platforms for environmental monitoring, water quality, and food safety.
Selected publications:
New Journal of Chemistry, 49(7) (2025) 2879–2888.
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (2024) 136070.
Methods, 223 (2024) 45–55.
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 328 (2021) 129026.
ChemistrySelect, 6(4) (2021) 820–842.
Materials Chemistry and Physics, 260 (2021) 124132.
Analytica Chimica Acta, 1136 (2020) 178–186.
Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) and Functional Fluorescent Systems
We investigate aggregation-induced emission (AIE) as a platform for developing responsive fluorescent materials, molecular probes, and multifunctional sensing systems.
Our work includes AIE-active Schiff bases, AIE-based metal complexes, fluorescent vesicles, and multianalyte sensors, with applications in chemical sensing, gasotransmitter delivery, bioimaging, and theranostics. We also explore mechanochromic, thermochromic, and solvatochromic behavior.
Selected publications:
Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, Advance Article (Cover Article).
Inorganic Chemistry, 64(15) (2025) 7364–7376.
ChemistrySelect, 9(44) (2024) e202404488.
Microchemical Journal, 204 (2024) 110957.
iScience (2024) .7, 110230
Sponsored R&D Projects
Sponsored R&D Projects
Research Projects: Our research programme integrates supramolecular chemistry, photochemistry, nanomaterials, chemical sensing, gasotransmitter delivery, and chemical biology. The major sponsored research projects undertaken by the group are listed below.
Completed Projects
2014–2017 | Supramolecular Fluorescent Probes for H₂S Detection
Funding: SERB-DST (Young Scientist Project)
Development of supramolecular fluorescent probes for the selective detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), an important biological signalling molecule.
Status: ✅ Completed2016–2019 | Metal-Complex-Modified Nanoscale Vesicles for CO Delivery
Funding: CSIR–EMR (II)
Design and development of metal-complex-functionalized nanoscale vesicular systems for controlled delivery of therapeutic carbon monoxide (CO).
Status: ✅ Completed2018–2021 | Photoinduced Nitric Oxide Release from Self-Assembled Nanovesicles
Funding: Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Development of functionalized self-assembled nanovesicles capable of photoinduced nitric oxide (NO) release for controlled gasotransmitter delivery.
Status: ✅ Completed2018–2021 | Highly Sensitive Colorimetric and Fluorescent Moisture Sensors
Funding: SERB–DST, Core Research Grant
Development of small-molecule probes, chemically modified paper platforms, and electrospun nanofibrous materials for sensitive colorimetric and fluorescent moisture sensing.
Status: ✅ Completed2023–2026 | New Materials for CO Release and Their Potential Applications
Funding: SERB–Core Research Grant (CRG)
Design and investigation of new molecular materials for controlled carbon monoxide (CO) release and exploration of their potential chemical and biomedical applications.
Status: ✅ Completed
Ongoing Projects
2022–2026 | Smartphone-Assisted Portable Chemical Sensor for Toxic Heavy Metals and Pesticides
Funding: DST–Haryana
Development of a portable, smartphone-assisted chemical sensing platform for the detection of toxic heavy metals and pesticides in water bodies of Haryana.
Status: 🔵 Ongoing2023–2026 | NIR-Responsive Liposomal Nanocarriers for H₂S Sensing and Bioimaging
Funding: CSIR Research Scheme
Development of near-infrared (NIR)-responsive liposomal nanosystems incorporating organolanthanide complexes for the sensing and bioimaging of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a biologically important gaseous signalling molecule.
Status: 🔵 Ongoing2026–2011 | SAKSHAM - Scientific Advancements in Knowledge for Sustainability, Healthcare, and Materials”,
Funding: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under IITI- ANRF PAIR Theme-3 Advance Materials. The project will be implemented at the Hub institution i.e. IIT Indore, along with the spoke institutions i.e. National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
Status: 🔵 Ongoing
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